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Snow Sharks Competitive Team Coaches
Head Coach Jeff Leid (Platinum Gold Performance) Oversees all groups
Jeff Leid has a lifetime of training, swimming competitively and coaching at various levels. He grew up in Pullman, Washington and started swimming with Pullman Swim Club when he was 6. He progressed through high school swimming, attending National Age Group camps and championship meets, and swam in college at the University of Puget Sound. He was a 3 year All-American and was the captain of his team when they won the National Championships his senior year. In Flagstaff, he has coached for various teams, including starting the swim program at Northland Preparatory Academy, leading athletes to best times, meaningful qualifications, and successful transitions into college swimming. He currently works at W.L. Gore and Associates and is married to Julie. He is excited to get back into coaching and to join the group of swimmers and parents within the Flagstaff Snow Sharks programs.
Coach Blake Williamson (Silver group)
Blake comes to us with 12 years of swimming experience. He swam 4 years of varsity swimming at Flagstaff High School and swam 2 year in college and Golden West college in Huntington Beach California.. Blake has coached at summer swim camps at the University of Florida and has coached for the Nike swim camp at NAU. Blake is very passionate about helping younger swimmers reach their full potential in and out of the pool and am very excited to join snow sharks! He currently holds school records at Flagstaff High School.
Coach Xander Pollock (Bronze 2 primary coach)
Coach Xander grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where his lifelong love for swimming began. Xander was an AIA State Champion, ten-time SAAA record holder, and recipient of the Canyon Del Oro Coaches Award and also holds multiple school records
Currently, Xander serves as a Flagstaff Snow Sharks coach and Director of our Lessons Program, where he leads with a hands-on, swimmer-first approach. His coaching journey includes roles with Oro Valley Swim Team, LJAX Aquatics, NAU’s Learn to Swim program, and ongoing positions as a volunteer coach for NAU Swim & Dive and head coach of the NAU college club team.
Xander’s energy, empathy, and technical knowledge make him a favorite among young swimmers. His coaching philosophy is rooted in giving back to the sport that shaped him. He’s passionate about helping young swimmers build confidence, master technique, and discover their full potential in and out of the water.
Coach Tom Swaninger (primarily Sedona site Gold/Platinum and Bronze 2)
Tom grew up in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, a small town just north of Detroit where he began swimming competitively at the age of five. As an age-group swimmer he set numerous state records and earned multiple high-point awards at state championship meets. He went on to become an All-American swimmer in high school and was part of a national championship team at Cal State Bakersfield before transferring to Arizona State University.
Today, Tom serves as the superintendent of the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District. He credits many of his most important leadership lessons to the swim coaches who shaped him throughout his athletic journey. Tom remains deeply passionate about the sport, not only in advancing the skills of swimmers, but in mentoring them to become the best versions of themselves as people.
Coach George Eglesfield (Performance/Gold)
Coach George brings over a decade of international and collegiate coaching experience to Flagstaff, currently serving as the Recruiting Coordinator and an assistant coach for NAU Swimming & Diving. His coaching journey spans youth clubs in New Zealand and Dubai, as well as NCAA programs including Bryant University, UMass Amherst, and CSU Bakersfield.
George has helped develop swimmers who’ve broken conference records and competed on the world stage. As a former WAC Conference Champion and New Zealand national titleholder in the 100m butterfly, he brings firsthand competitive insight and a technique-first approach to sprint and stroke development. George is passionate about mentoring young athletes and is excited to share his expertise with the Flagstaff swimming community.
Coach Tatum Hoffer (Bronze 1 coach)
Tatum is from Scottsdale, Arizona and is a sophomore at NAU and studies public relations. She was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. During this time she was a captain for her club and high school teams, and a state finalist. As part of her captain responsibilities, she helped coach her peers in technique, drills, and sprinting. Her first job was coaching swim lessons for kids ages 3-10, during the summers. Tatum loves to craft, read, and workout in her free time. Tatum is so excited to join the Snowsharks team and meet her swimmers!
Coach Alli Shadrick (Great White)
Alli is from Denver Colorado and is a sophomore at NAU. She has been swimming for as long as she can remember and swam competitively for eight years on both a club team and swam for her high school team. The past three years she has been teaching swim lessons and coaching young swimmers. Alli is passionate about helping kids build confidence in the water and improve their technique. She’s excited to be part of the Snow Sharks and looks forward to working with the swimmers and their families this season.
Coach Riley Hoffer (floating coach for all competitive groups)
Riley is from Scottsdale, Arizona and is a senior at NAU studying Public Health. He was a competitive swimmer for 12 years and a state finalist and captain of his high school team. Riley has four years of REC coaching experience at McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center where he worked with all age groups and skill levels. In his free time, Riley likes to play guitar, snowboard and hike. Riley is excited to help with all our different levels of swimmers and working side by side with the coaches.
